52 NATURAL HISTORY 



footed behind. Now I have discovered 

 a rat on the banks of our little stream 

 that is not web-footed, and yet is an 

 excellent swimmer and diver : it answers 

 exactly to the mus ampliibias (See Syst. 

 Nat.) which he says, " natat infossis Sf 

 urinatur.'' 1 should be glad to procure 

 one " plantis palmatis." Linnceus seems 

 to be in a puzzle about his mus amphiblus, 

 and to doubt whether it differs from his 

 mus terrestris ; which, if it be, as he al- 

 lows, the " mus agrcstis capite grandi 

 hrachi/uros" of Rai/, is widely different 

 from the water-rat, both in size, make, 

 and manner of life. 



As to the faico, which I mentioned in 

 town, I shall take the liberty to send it 

 down to you into Wales ; presuming on 

 your candour, that you will excuse me 

 if it should appear as familiar to you as 

 it is strange to me. Though mutilated 

 ** qucilem dices . . . antehac fuisse, tales 

 " cum sint relirjuice .'" 



It haunted a marshy piece of ground 

 in quest of wild-ducks and snipes ; but> 



